C3: Determinants of occupational diseases and work-related health problems

C3 (PDF, 218 KB)

Module Manager: Dr. Irina Guseva Canu

The relationship between work-related exposures and 
the development of clinical symptoms or diseases is 
often complex and may not become evident until 
decades after the initial exposure. In this module, 
students will learn to identify and interpret evidence of 
work-related illnesses and associated risk factors. They 
will also examine how organizational structures and 
broader societal influences affect both negative and 
positive occupational health outcomes.
Upon completion, students will be able to:
– Understand the main determinants of occupational 
disease and work-related health 
– Consider both health-related risks and resources on 
the individual, group, organizational and societal 
levels
– Conduct effective literature search and identify the 
relevant publications
– Make critical appraisals of publications
– Assess the overall evidence of an occupational 
disease or exposure according to the most relevant 
guidelines
– Write a simple literature review
– Evaluate specific work-associated health problems 
across population subgroups, sectors, industries, and 
countries
– Understand the functioning of organizations, 
management and leadership to tailor occupational 
health activities to this context

 - Overview of the major occupational health problems 
and their risk and protective factors
– Occupational health research and study designs
– Observational versus interventional studies in 
occupational health
– Most common bias and errors in occupational health 
research 

– Concept of causality
– Literature search, systematic reviews and 
meta-analysis
– Inequality of health and disadvantaged socio-economic and socio-cultural groups
– Concepts of organizations and implications for 
organizational change processes
– Role of management and leadership in organizations

23-27 March 2026 in Lausanne 

16 February 2026

CHF 2,720.–